SRS 102

When Yohan emerged from the headmaster’s office, period zero was nearly over. He had not expected time to slip away so quickly while they discussed the divine beast and the depths of the lake. He checked his watch, startled by the hour, and hurried back to Room 304.

He pushed the door open and saw Mikael, who was currently removing his coat as if he had just returned from class. Yohan felt a little disappointed that Mikael was the only one present, but he quickly closed the door and approached the student.

“What is the matter?”

Mikael looked confused by his friend’s urgent behavior. Yohan carefully reached into his cloak and revealed the small, sleeping divine beast.

“…?”

Mikael’s eyes wavered as he stared at the unfamiliar creature.

“I need your mana,” Yohan said.

He skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. Mikael’s gray eyes filled with even more bewilderment. He looked at Yohan, demanding an explanation. Yohan took a moment to catch his breath before he recounted the events at the office.

He explained how the divine beast he brought back had woken up on its own because Fantasiademia’s barriers were in danger. He told Mikael that the creature required at least three different types of abilities to grow, and that the quality of its growth depended on the purity and concentration of those powers. Mikael hesitantly took the creature into his hands.

“So, you’re saying this thing needs to consume three types of abilities to grow, and only then will Fantasiademia’s barriers be protected?”

Mikael still seemed confused, but he chose to trust his friend’s words. Yohan was grateful for that trust and reached into his cloak once more.

“You have it exactly right. Furthermore, students who assist in the growth of the beast will receive merit points.”

“Merit points?”

“Yes. I just finished a contract with the headmaster.”

Yohan pulled out a scroll from the headmaster’s office. He untied the ribbon, unfurled the parchment, and showed it to Mikael. The student’s eyes widened.

“A guaranteed twenty points per semester, plus additional rewards based on the growth grade?”

“Yes. As the one chosen by the beast, I have the duty to protect it and oversee the restoration of the school’s barriers. In exchange, the headmaster promised to double my compensation. In short…”

Yohan rolled the contract back up and safely tucked it away. He gave his friend a bright smile.

“We won’t have to worry about money the next time we visit the commercial district. I can finally pay back the gold coin I owe you.”

The relief of no longer living as a debtor made Yohan’s expression radiant. Mikael started to speak but stopped himself, unable to find the right words as he watched his friend’s joyful face.

Yohan sat on the bed and patted the spot beside him, inviting Mikael to sit.

“…You said the purity and concentration of the power mattered. Is my mana alright for this?”

“It is. Out of all the mana I have encountered, yours felt the cleanest.”

Yohan had already fed his own divine power to the beast in the headmaster’s office. That fulfilled the first requirement, but since the beast could not consume the same type of power twice, he had to look elsewhere. Mikael was the first person who came to mind.

Mikael’s mana was vast enough to cast spells without incantations, yet it remained untainted and clear, much like pure water. Yohan was certain it would benefit the divine beast’s growth. Even the magic professor did not possess mana as pure as his. Yohan suspected this was a trait of Mikael’s race.

The mana of an angel.

It was a contradictory combination when one considered the usual relationship between divine power and mana, but Yohan did not doubt that the effect would be powerful.

Because Yohan was so certain, Mikael pushed aside his doubts and unleashed his mana.

Flash.

The mana gathered at his fingertips and flowed into the beak of the sleeping beast. The creature’s eyes snapped open the moment the energy touched its tongue. It stood up on Mikael’s palm and began to gulp down the mana.

“How long must I continue?”

“It will stop on its own once it absorbs enough for its first stage of growth.”

“Mmm…”

“…Don’t worry too much. It only fed on my divine power for about three minutes.”

“I see.”

Yohan offered his own experience to soothe the student’s unease. However, that information turned out to be entirely unhelpful.

“…….”

“…I am sorry.”

The divine beast drained Mikael’s mana for twenty-one minutes. Mikael asked several times when it would end, but eventually, he lost the strength to speak. He flopped onto the bed in silence as the creature continued to draw mana from him.

Yohan sincerely apologized, Mikael’s face had turned pale in a short span of time. He had made the request because his own turn had ended so quickly. He would have been far more cautious had he known this would happen.

“…It is fine,” Mikael muttered weakly.

Mikael’s complexion now resembled that of a corpse, but he did not blame Yohan. Instead, he simply patted the head of the divine beast, which had fallen back asleep after its feast, with his fingertip before he began to stroke it gently.

“It falls asleep quickly.”

“The headmaster told me it sleeps to digest the abilities it consumes.”

“I see. Then its growth should be rapid.”

“He mentioned it would likely grow within seven days from the date it receives its final ability,” Yohan added.

“Have you decided what that final ability will be?”

“…I want to use spirit power, but I don’t know who to ask for help. I could do it myself, but my own power is still too weak.”

Since the purity and concentration of the power were so vital, Yohan could not simply use his own skills, as he only managed intermediate-level spirits. The safety of his school life depended on the beast’s growth, so he could not afford to choose carelessly.

As Yohan grew anxious, Mikael sat up. His color had returned quickly thanks to the mysterious restorative magic within Fantasiademia.

“If you don’t have a suitable candidate, why not ask Professor Shinbi for help?”

“I’ve considered that. I can feel the purity of the professor’s spirits just by their light, and their concentration is undoubtedly high. However…”

“However?”

Yohan let his words trail off and rubbed his mouth with a serious expression. He turned toward his friend with a concerned expression.

“…However, I’m worried she might use the growth of the divine beast as an excuse to summon me to her office.”

“Ah.”

“…….”

During the last class, Yohan had desperately pretended not to hear the professor’s request. Professor Shinbi was kind and pure-hearted, but she was still a professor of Fantasiademia. If she still had his sights set on Yohan, she would not miss this opportunity. Yohan knew this, and as a long-term student who had repeated many years, Mikael knew it even better.

A long silence filled the room.

“…Let’s exclude the professor,” Mikael advised after a long pause. Yohan did not reject his friend’s concern.

“Then what should I do?”

“Is there any other ability you’d prefer over spirit power?”

“Other abilities are fine. But in terms of purity… I believe a spirit’s power would be best.”

Yohan had considered sword energy, but he found it difficult to change his mind. He felt that spirit power, which was a manifestation of a creature’s goodwill toward a contractor, would be more beneficial for growth than a power designed for slaughter.

While Yohan ran a hand through his hair in frustration, Mikael reached out to tidy his friend’s disheveled locks. He tucked a stray strand of water-colored hair behind Yohan’s ear and called his name.

“Yohan.”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps I could… introduce you to a senior?”

“A senior?”

“…I know a fourth-year who is an exceptional expert at handling spirits.”

“Really?”

Yohan’s instantly face brightened. Mikael nodded, thinking that no one but a true villain could say anything unkind to this face.

“Yes. …But his personality might be a bit strange. I can guarantee his skill, but he is a bit…”

Mikael hesitated. Yohan sensed from his friend’s reluctance that the person he wanted to introduce was unusual. But no matter how strange or threatening the student might be, he certainly couldn’t be as unsettling as a professor.

As long as he could avoid being dragged into an office, Yohan was willing to accept. He readily agreed to the proposal.

That evening, after his general education class, Yohan attended the meeting Mikael had arranged. Within ten seconds of meeting the spirit summoner, Yohan regretted his naive choice.

“A single drop of blood! Please, just one drop! Your blood would surely summon a great spirit…!”

Arrgh!

The senior choked and clutched his throat. He glared at Mikael while he struggled for breath. It was evident Mikael had used some sort of magic, though it looked different from a standard silence spell. Yohan looked back and forth between Mikael and the bizarre senior.

Tramashu.

That was the name of the suspicious fourth-year senior who had lost his mind and begged for blood the very second he laid eyes on Yohan.